I'm just curious about something, and I've always wondered about it. So I figured this forum would be good to see if anyone knows the answer. How are most writers hired for shows like Late Night, The Tonight Show, Lopez, Conan's new show, etc? Are writers plucked from the clubs usually, or do they submit resumes and writing samples? I just think it must be the coolest job in TV, and I want to know how these awesome people got their gigs.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone else when we're uncool."
Mike Schmidt gave me some good advice a year or so ago. He told me that the best to get a writing job for a young writer is to be a writers assistant. And from Mike's podcast he mentioned that writing jobs for talk shows are done through regular job applications but you submit a writing packet of sketches that are a mix of topical and normal sketches. So I heard you always have to keep your packet recent just in case if somebody calls for it.
Also I know a lot of people in animation get jobs through people they know and things like fellowships and internships. We have a great thread on that as well. But I'd also like to hear some more about how people moved up the comedy ranks for writing jobs. Seems interesting.
Last edited by punkdc; June 21, 2010 at 12:41 PM.
Is 30 considered young as a writer?I'm really fascinated with this as a potential direction to move my life, and I just want to see how it's supposed to work, you know paying dues-wise and all that stuff. Thanks for the head's up on Mike's podcast. If I could feed my wife and kid on a writer's assistant job I'd do it in an effing heartbeat.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone else when we're uncool."
I was told by a writer that he got every job from people he was friends or friendly with. his advice was write all the time and just make your own pilots. it didn't seem like the best advice but it doesn't seem like there is just a place to send your scripts except for maybe small comedy theaters and blogs. I plan on keeping my day job while I continue to write comedy which means I will continue to remain unemployed.
poopsex
So I have a internship interview next week which I know they are going to ask me to do script coverage, does anyone have advice? I've done it once so if anyone has advice or even a script for me to look at that would be great. Thanks AST for helping comedy dreams become almost true!
In regards to this topic I recommend checking out the book "And Here's the Kicker" by Mike Sacks, I found it fairly informative and a good reference tool...wow, that sounded like a commercial...seriously though, good read on humor writing.
Doing standup all the time has been very, very helpful for me in getting asked to submit for jobs and meeting producers, head writers and such folks. Plus I don't have to get together with a sketch group or partner (there's nothing wrong with that, but being my own "engine" or whatever is preferable to me personally.) So getting in with a performing community, be it standup, improv, or sketch is super helpful and maybe even indispensable.
Yes it's a very good read for aspiring comedy writers as well as comedy fans. Hell... anyone on this board will love it! Got it cheap from Amazon!Originally Posted by RonPlacone
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Comedy writing, whether it's little bits or jokes or just developing premises, has become one of my favorite things to do in my free time.
The idea that I had to get up on stage and perform any material I ever wrote always kept me from writing down the ideas that were flying through my head. Not having any material was the best excuse I could give myself to keep from ever having to go on stage.
It's only recently that I realized this is possibly something I could make a living doing and that there are other avenues to share your writing than stand up alone. More importantly I realized how much I would love to wake up every morning knowing that the majority of my day would be spent with funny people coming up with funny sketches and premises.
My question is, and chances are it's a stupid one, but do most professional comedy writers have degree's in writing and English? Is a college education a prerequisite in most cases?
I just began a sketch that I'm going to send to a friend who has been writing, producing, directing and acting in short comedy films for ten years now. He just moved to NY and I hope to regularly collaborate with him.
This is kind of what I thought myself. But I was hoping someone would just stumble upon my genius blog and say to themselves "Holy shit, this is guy is so fucking funny we simply must have him write for our comedy or variety show." Ha ha.
Sounds like I need to start making the road-trip up to L.A. to start doing stand-up huh?
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone else when we're uncool."
I'm doing the Climb The Writer's Room ladder myself and have spent the past few years as Writer's Assistant and Script Coordinator. I like being in the thick of things. Great place to work, learn and make connections.
There are no absolutes but in the last month I've submitted to 4 big shows and every head writer or producer who asked me to submit has seen me do standup (sometimes many, many times; over years.) So your odds of being "discovered" grow exponentially if you're in LA or NY. Of course, continue to blog and start or continue doing standup wherever you are now and you will definitely improve. But it's fucking hard to make money as a writer, so you might as well remove as many potential handicaps as you can, to make it slightly easier. I don't say any of this to be discouraging, but the only thing I can give you of any value at all is the truth.
People only hire people they know, or that they've been closely recommended to by people they know. A good word means a lot- and if you are someone whose office so far up the chain that you're completely removed from what's occurring in the underground comedy world, a good word can mean everything. Keep working and trying things so that when you finally build your contacts/your friends start taking off and building enough clout to recommend you to the machine, you can be ready with actual good material that you can physically hand someone.
Agree. People know they're going to be spending a lot of time with another writer, so it more than helps if they're comfortable with that person.
That totally makes sense. Being married and "rooted" in San Diego makes the move to L.A. hard...if not impossible. But I guess you never know. If nothing else it's definitely in my goals for the next few months to get up to L.A. and start doing some gigs up there. It sounds crazy to go all the way up there for a five minute set or something, but it's worth it to me if I'm really developing material/my act.
I like my blog because I can make it whatever I want. I know what you mean about it being nearly impossible to make money as a writer. I just always think of that as being one of the "coolest" jobs though...to create shit out of thin air and have it (eventually) turned into something tangible...and then they totally change your words on set.
I appreciate all the tips in the thread so far. And Rob, I really appreciate your words of advice.
All of you guys can check my sig if you're curious to see what kind of inane/lame shit I post up.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone else when we're uncool."
It's smarter to develop your act outside of LA. Come to town with 20 solid minutes and you'll get noticed. If you get seen before you're ready, you'll regret it.
A couple things about this. I'm right there with you, writing being my dream job. I'm in CA too, in the Ventura area, so LA is no small walk.
I'd heard that LA is somewhere to avoid, especially early on. I'm very new to all this, so I can't tell you why, except the feeling I get is that people feel the environment is so competitive and cutthroat, that when you're new, you're likely to get swallowed up.
I would love if someone else could be more specific with why someone might say that.
Anyway, I'm glad you posted about this, because it got me all excited, and glad to see others doing the same!
My naive understanding is that if you are persistent about constantly writing and performing (or some other form of exposure/practice) then eventually you'll get an opportunity. Which makes sense to me and honestly I'm looking forward to moving to LA/NYC and living that life. But my main question has always been, how do you survive as an unknown comic? What jobs can you live off of that also go well with the schedule of staying up late to do open mics?
Also besides doing open mics and improv/sketch shows, what else can comedy writers do to hone their craft?
I've been doing tech for the writers panels at Nerdmelt. One thing I have learned is that there is no one path. Just do as much as you can. Complete projects. Make sure you have something prepared to give people. Put yourself in situations to meet people who can get you work.
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"Not the victory but the action. Not the goal but the game. In the deed the glory."
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